HELENA.

i miss you in the dreaming of night,

the intangible kiss of woe.

when poetry cascades the sky, and reminds me

of our sun together. of the days you stole away.

i miss you with my breath and heart and the

longing you left behind.

the rain of our love and the acidic

bitterness you became.

walking-shadow of athens become.

corridors sheltering me as i hear your plight.

for her, ne'er for me, despite.

childhood glory now bruised and rotten.

love mourned and wanted still.

cast aside for friend so dear-

constant reminder of my waking ache.

twice-loved friendships afeared to be twice-lost.

i want you to know that i am worthy.

that though you discard me, i am gold.

but that i love you, and yearn still, and that

you pursue her; i pursue you.

do not treat me as though i am so shame-ridden.

she loves you not, so pursue her not, so do as you tell

so callous a bite of command to me.

perhaps fall back to where honest love lingers still.

there is a girl, and she is constant in her burning,

that fire of desire so sparked with light.

yet she decreases herself in esteem, and is so

fearful in her estimation of self.

she is your helena, and she is i-

and oh, to hold the art of another,

just to hold you in my heart.

but only with that promised kiss of your untampered will.